Record 7-5. Change on 2025: +1.5. 5-inning record: 3-8-1.
Well, that five-game winning streak sure was nice while it lasted. It ended in no uncertain fashion this afternoon at Sloan Park, both sides of the game leaving room for improvement. The D-backs found themselves held to fewer than three runs for the first time this spring, managing only six hits and three walks. Their sole run came courtesy of Pavin Smith’s second home-run of spring, which got them on the board in the fourth inning. Cristofer Torin – and I am really going to have to work on my spelling of his first name – got two hits. Brady Counsell, son of Cubs manager Craig, walked to lead off the eighth inning for Arizona. So that’s nice.
On the mound, Ryne Nelson fell behind before recording an out, starting the game off by allowing a double and then a triple. The latter then scored on a groundout, but he then steadied the ship. Nelson went 2.2 innings, allowing those two runs on three hits, with no walks and three strikeouts. Unfortunately, the next three pitchers Arizona used also got tagged, and they included Kevin Ginkel (a run on two hits with one K) and Ryan Thompson (two runs on two hits, also with one K). Nobody worked a clean inning for the D-backs this afternoon. Shawn Dubin, with a walk but also two strikeouts, probably came the closest.
Not a good day for ABS and Gabriel Montero. He cost the team both their challenges – the first behind the plate, the second at it. Home-plate umpire Trevor Dannegger had a good afternoon, being proven correct all four times his calls were challenged. Tomorrow is the first split-squad game of the spring, with half the team (including Daniel Eagan) hosting the White Sox at Salt River Fields, while the other half, led by Mitch Bratt, go to Maryvale and take on the Brewers there.
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